The vessel moves.
The position shouldn’t.

Dynamic positioning (DP) is a vessel control system that automatically maintains position and heading using thrusters and propellers. It continuously combines information from position, heading, environmental and vessel systems to determine the required response as wind, waves, current and other forces change.

A DP system can use several sources of measurement, including wind sensors, position and motion reference systems, gyrocompasses and feedback from propulsion and steering systems. The exact sensor architecture depends on the vessel, DP class, operational requirements and system design. Gill provides ultrasonic wind sensors alongside industrial sensing technologies for position, level and condition monitoring.

Wind creates an external force on a vessel that the DP system needs to account for when maintaining position and heading. Accurate wind speed and direction provide information about changing environmental conditions, allowing the control system to respond appropriately. Gill ultrasonic wind sensors provide continuous wind measurement without mechanical wind-sensing components.

A wind sensor used in DP should be assessed for accuracy, response time, environmental protection, communications, power requirements, marine suitability and the redundancy requirements of the wider system. Gill provides ultrasonic wind sensors designed for demanding marine and offshore applications.

DP systems are designed around redundancy, with the specific requirements depending on the vessel, DP class, notation and system architecture. Independent measurement sources can help maintain system availability and allow discrepancies to be identified. Sensor selection should therefore be considered as part of the wider DP architecture rather than in isolation.

The required wind measurement accuracy depends on the DP system, vessel and operating conditions. Accuracy should be considered alongside response time, output rate, environmental performance, installation and redundancy requirements rather than treated as a single specification in isolation. Gill can help assess wind-sensor selection against the requirements of the application.

Response requirements depend on the vessel, control architecture and operating conditions. A DP system needs environmental information quickly enough to account for changing forces acting on the vessel. Gill ultrasonic wind sensors provide rapid wind measurement and output configurations suitable for demanding marine applications.

Yes. Wind sensors are widely used as part of the environmental measurement architecture on vessels operating offshore and with dynamic positioning systems. Gill provides marine ultrasonic wind sensors designed for exposed environments and continuous operation.

The wider vessel measurement architecture can include position, rotary, level and machinery-condition sensing alongside environmental wind measurement. Gill provides non-contact position sensing, solid-state liquid level sensing and WearDetect oil-debris monitoring alongside its ultrasonic wind sensors.

Sensors should be specified according to the measurement required, accuracy, response time, environmental conditions, power requirements, communications, approvals and redundancy architecture. Gill recommends considering each sensor as part of the wider measurement chain and control architecture rather than specifying the measurement in isolation.

Integration depends on the DP architecture and the interfaces supported by the selected sensor and control system. Gill wind sensors provide established outputs including NMEA 0183 and serial communications, allowing measurement data to be incorporated into wider marine monitoring and control systems.

Marine sensors may be exposed to salt, moisture, spray, vibration, movement, temperature changes and high winds, while access for maintenance can be limited. Sensor selection should therefore consider environmental protection, materials, operating temperature, approvals and the consequences of losing measurement availability. Gill offers marine sensing technologies designed for demanding vessel and offshore environments.

Calibration provides a traceable way to assess measurement performance against an appropriate reference. Where measurement confidence and traceability are important, calibration can form part of the wider lifecycle management of the vessel’s instrumentation. Labcal provides UKAS-accredited calibration services for a wide range of measurement equipment, supporting the broader measurement ecosystem around marine and industrial systems.

Yes. Gill’s sensing range extends beyond ultrasonic wind measurement to include liquid level, linear and rotary position and oil-condition monitoring. This allows different measurement requirements within a vessel or marine system to be addressed through technologies from the same Gill organisation.

Gill provides engineering support across environmental and industrial sensing applications. Where a requirement does not fit a standard product configuration, the application can be assessed around its measurement requirements, environmental conditions, integration needs and wider system architecture.